Joe McConaughy embraced his girlfriend, Katie Kiracofe, as he reached the summit of Mount Katahdin after breaking the record for fastest unsupported hike of the Appalachian Trail.

Globe Staff
September 01, 2017

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Joe McConaughy picked his way through the rocks as he ran toward the summit of Mount Katahdin. According to McConaughy, he hiked the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail in an unofficial fastest known time of 45 days, 11 hours, 15 minutes.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

McConaughy’s mother, Mary Ann McConaughy, waved as he emerged from the wilderness at Abol Bridge in Millinocket, Maine.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

McConaughy slapped hands with a group of hikers who had been waiting to see him cross the bridge after hearing of his attempt at breaking the record.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

McConaughy held out his GoPro and filmed as he ran over Abol Bridge with his girlfriend, Katie Kiracofe (right), and friend and ultramarathoner Josh Katzman after he emerged from the wilderness.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

McConaughy greeted his mother and girlfriend after emerging at Abol Bridge.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Kiracofe checked her watch as she ascended Mt. Katahdin, trying to decipher how much time she had to make it there in time to see McConaughy reach the summit and the terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Katzman's son, Cooper, spelled out “Go Joe!” in rocks as he waited with his dad to see McConaughy emerge at Abol Bridge.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Kiracofe ran alongside McConaughy.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

After depleting his food, McConaughy reached into his backpack at Abol Bridge to fish out money in order to pick up supplies and to throw away his garbage.

Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff

Kiracofe pointed to a map as she and Katzman tried to figure out where McConaughy might be.

Joe McConaughy

McConaughy documented his journey on Instagram at thestring.bean.

Joe McConaughy

McConaughy documented Day 24 on Instagram.

Joe McConaughy

Day 22 was the halfway mark.

Joe McConaughy

Day 20, Aug. 7, found McConaughy in Lewis Springs near Big Meadow in the Shenandoahs.

Joe McConaughy

On Day 12, McConaughy encountered some bad weather in Virginia.

Joe McConaughy

The food that would get him through 24 days on the trail.

Joe McConaughy

McConaughy started out on his attempt to break the record from Georgia on July 19.